Some kids devour books, while others avoid reading at all costs. Many kids like reading independently but dislike book assignments from school. No matter what kind of reader you have, there is a free and easy way to challenge kids to consume books, allowing them to reap physical and academic rewards for their efforts.
Through the 80s and 90s, programs like Book-It rewarded kids for reading by turning books into currency. Points earned by reading books translated into gift certificates for every kid's favorite food– pizza. Programs like Book-It are still around, but parents can easily create a home-based reward system to encourage reading in a few easy steps:
Give points for every book read, or designate a points system incorporating difficulty level or higher points for non-fiction than fiction. It's critical to make the system flexible to allow kids choice– kids read more when they can read about their interests.
Keep a scoreboard or progress bar for points in a high-traffic area of the house, like the kitchen or the family room. This is important for several reasons:
Scoreboards can be whiteboards, markers on a window, or a printed page inside a transparent page protector or picture frame. Making kids responsible for marking their progress will also help them build responsibility and discipline.
Kids will earn points they will eventually cash in, but those rewards don't have to be expensive toys, devices, or clothes. Rewards can be easy, free, and scaled based on point values, like extra screen time, picking a restaurant for dinner, or having a sleepover.
There can also be big ticket items, like gift cards for their favorite brands, to encourage students to bank their points, which teaches students the importance of delayed gratification and patience. It also helps teach them financial skills for saving and spending.
Creating a reward system to encourage reading will have even the most reticent readings racking up points.
Human beings avoid doing things they don't like. As adults, we avoid going to the DMV until absolutely necessary, put off annoying tasks at work right up to a deadline, or continue to put off scheduling an appointment. However, when students avoid or procrastinate doing school work, many parents and educators conclude this behavior stems from a lack of motivation.
Some people are born naturally argumentative. Not in the confrontational way we associate with the word "argument." Instead, they seemed primed to be lawyers from a young age, turning every conversation into a debate. Certain personalities exhibit an innate understanding of the logic, critical thinking, and nuance of argument. Those with this keen sense of argumentation exhibit natural persuasiveness but also better grasp pattern recognition, relationships between ideas, and problem-solving.
When asked, nearly 60% of Gen Z students report they would like to be social media influencers. Interestingly, give those same students the chance to opt out of presentation in class, and they will jump at the opportunity. So why would a generation bent on seeking an audience avoid standing up in front of a classroom to practice public speaking skills? It’s a conundrum that vexes educators. While the chances of attaining influencer stardom are as slim as becoming any celebrity, public speaking and strong oral communication skills are coveted in the workplace.
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